Tennis star Jelena Ostapenko apologizes on social media for remarks toward Taylor Townsend at US Open

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Latvian tennis star Jelena Ostapenko apologized on social media for what she told American tennis player Taylor Townsend during an emotional outburst after a U.S. Open loss.

Ostapenko told Townsend she had "no education" as she pointed her finger at her opponent following an early-tournament loss to the American. She wrote on social media that English is not her native language, "so when I said education, I was speaking only about what I believe (is) tennis etiquette, but I understand how the words I used could have offended many people beyond the tennis court."

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Jelena Ostapenko argues with Taylor Townsend following their match at the U.S. Open on Aug. 27, 2025, in New York City. (Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Townsend reacted to the apology after she won her doubles match on Saturday. She said she was unaware of it.

"That’s nice that she did that, that she apologized," Townsend said. "That’s fine. That’s cool. At the end of the day, I think that it’s a learning lesson for her.... It’s great that she went to social media and apologized. But I really hope that, from this, she can take that like, hey, you can’t control people and it’s better just to focus on yourself."

Townsend said she hadn’t personally heard from Ostapenko. Townsend defeated the No. 25-ranked Ostapenko 7-5, 6-1. The two came face-to-face after the match with Ostapenko delivering the insults.

Jeļena Ostapenko during the first round of the U.S. Open, Aug. 24, 2025, in New York. (Vera Nieuwenhuis, File/AP Photo)

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Townsend,